Shopping

You know, I didn't actually need to buy anything at the Stitches and Craft Fair in Melbourne... but I did manage to find some vintage-looking cross-stitch sampler patterns to buy.

I also enjoyed buying the linens and AIDA cloth to stitch onto - also in vintage natural colours.

And... I now have Threadworx threads to stitch them in.

Look at the way the Threadworx changes colour slightly as I stitch. It definitely gives a vintage hue. Beautiful.

VicQuilter's showcase photos tomorrow. I promise!!

By hand and machine

I needed some handwork for the train - I went into Jeff's Shed for the VicQuilter's Exhibition and Stitches and Craft Show.

I grabbed my 1800s blue English-pieced diamonds (AKA "Oh My Stars!", and tacked a stack of them. I didn't need much space, and they weren't heavy. Groovy. I did about 35 during 2 hours (that's both ways on the train).

I will share some eye candy from the quilt show ... later okay? (and some of my shopping...)

I just wanted to come home and sew!!! I am still disappointed I couldn't find my miniature quilt in time to deliver it for hanging... *sigh*

I worked on the Lizzie Mae's inner border - still need to trim the centre applique block before I can join them together..

Block-age

Well... I haven't done much more on the Civil War Bride block. I feel a bit stuck. I finished all the leaves, and asked my friends at the CWBQ blog for advice... I need to think on it awhile. Now I have 2 half finished blocks to go with 10 finished ones!!

Moving on ... I only had to make 3 more of these little blocks for Lizzie Mae's Medallion. I even joined them into the left and right sides, top and bottom.

I just need to trim the centre applique block and make an inner border... Another night maybe...

Time to relax

It's been really important for me to try to find some time to relax over the last few days. Last night I could finally stitch a little bit of this Civil War Bride block. I deliberately chose the bright yellow flowers with a blue vase in mind. This ombre blue (it's a Dargate) is just perfect - even the diagonal pattern is great.
However, I am playing with the leaf fabric - fussy cutting from a green and pink print.
What do you think? Do the leaves look okay? Maybe I should change the bright yellow to a lighter yellow. There are other flowers to go on the top of the block. Will pink look okay?

Any thought appreciated.

Lost: one miniature quilt

I've been absolutely flat chat the last few days. I've stayed up late a few nights in a row, and I can hardly even show you why!!

See this block with the smiling girl? That's me. Because I have finished this quilt!! This is the QuiltAid 2010 quilt. The theme is "The Greatest Gift", and I have named this quilt "The Greatest Gift - Friendship".

It's not a terribly good photo, I will snap a better one while it is hanging at the Vic Quilter's Exhibition this coming weekend.

I've been binding, adding hanging sleeves and looking for my miniature quilt. I entered the quilt into the exhibition, it was accepted, and I had it only 3 weeks ago. I turned everything upside down last night looking for the mini quilt - it's not even that small!!

But, I just couldn't find it in time. *sigh*

I just know it will turn up somewhere I have already looked.

There goes the $40 I paid for entry fees and judging feedback.

You can find out more about the QuiltAid programme by clicking the link on the sidebar.

A fresh start

I've started another block in the Civil War Bride quilt. Boy! Don't those tulips look lairy so far!! LOL!! The stems are only fused and pinned on at the moment, so the wrinkles will drop out of the background. (Have you noticed that no leaves are yet stitched!! That last block was absolutely full of leaves!!).

I've also started a baby quilt for my old friend's newborn baby. She was born 8 weeks premature, so the time for me has really run out!!

And, I've got a deadline - I need to bind a quilt very quickly for an upcoming exhibition, and attach a hanging sleeve to another one.

This block may just go on hold for a little while.

What a transformation...

From woah to go!! I've finished another block!

I love the "crowded" look of this Civil War Bride block.

I've added lots of poison greens to add brightness to the block. Unlike the pattern we at the Civil War Bride Blog are following, I used only one fabric for the flowers.
I really like the directional print on the red flowers too. Overall, I am pretty happy with this block.

So, how do they all look together now?

Slightly odd shaped. But that's what happens when you are half way through the blocks!! I just want to light those words in neon so they flash and sparkle.